Seniors still waiting for proficiency exam results

With a week left before they have to return to Carson High School, seniors who took the proficiency exam during the summer still are waiting to learn the results.

"It's annoying that I have to wait," said Christina Hanson, 17. "I'm going into my senior year and that's the only thing that's holding me back from being excited."

Associate Superintendent Mike Watty said he has been inundated with phone calls from parents of students who are equally torn between being excited to start their final year and dreading the possibility of failing the exam.

Students entering 12th grade were given an extra opportunity to take the state-mandated exam July 16.

Results were expected back by Aug. 15, but officials are now expecting to hear from the testing agency Friday. School starts Aug. 27.

"The suspense is horrible," said Rachel Silver, 16. "I am incredibly nervous. I would like to know if I am going to graduate or not."

Passing the three portions of the test -- math, English and reading -- is required for students in Nevada to graduate from high school.

Hanson, who will serve as editor of the high school newspaper for the second year, does not agree with the importance placed on the exam.

"I get As and Bs in every class," she said. "It's just irritating that my entire high school career is determined by one test instead of all the hard work I've put into it."

Hanson, like most others who have failed the proficiency exam, is struggling to pass the math section. She said some of the blame must fall on the school district's curriculum structure.

"The highest math I'll take is geometry and there's trigonometry and calculus on the test," she said.

Seniors will have three more opportunities to take the proficiency exam before they graduate. Students who have not passed any portion of the exam may enroll in remediation classes.